Speakers' Bureau

Introducing The Heard:
The National Mental Health Awareness Campaign's Speakers' Bureau

Speakers of all ages can be extremely effective in reaching people with a mental health message. Research shows the most effective way to lessen stigma is contact with a peer who is suffering from a mental illness. Because our audiences are middle schools, high schools and colleges our messaging about mental health is delivered by young people who have first hand knowledge of what it’s really like. Our speakers have been affected by mental disorders and speak to empower others to take action and responsibility in their lives.

All of our speakers have received training from top mental health advocates and professionals in the field. The goal of the presentations is to provide a positive example of someone who has dealt with a mental disorder in order to help all students understand they can talk about whatever is troubling them. Though mental health is a serious topic, the presentations use appropriate humor and are extremely accessible, interactive, cool, and inspiring. Students leave the presentation feeling like they can deal with mental health issues and counseling centers report a 400% increase in students seeking help.

Schools all over the country are seeing a significant rise in the amount of young people experiencing or being treated for mental health issues. The average age of onset for most major mental illnesses is during adolescence, and it is during this period that many young people learn coping mechanisms that they will carry through life. Yet dialogue and education on the issue is almost non-existent. At the National Mental Health Awareness Campaign (NMHAC), we are committed to partnering with schools to fight stigma, nurture the mental health of all students, and decrease the risk of suicide.

Millions of young people experience depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, ADD, ADHD, schizophrenia and other mental health conditions. Often the loneliness, self-hatred, anger, confusion, insecurities and fear that come out of these conditions lead to substance abuse, risky sexual behavior, violence, cutting, lower school performance or complete isolation. Positive examples and dialogue about dealing with these problems are both uncommon and needed. Our speakers' bureau provides such examples by featuring young people who have dealt with these issues and who can encourage others to recognize and seek help for their emotional difficulties.

To book a speaker please write to us here.